Residential Childcare Worker

Caretech; Dumfries; On-site; GBP 34,000 - 36,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Refer a friend bonus

Flexible shifts

Paid induction

Company pension

Career development

Exclusive discounts

24/7 support

Hardship grants

Job summary

Annie's Cottage in Dumfries, part of CareTech, is looking for caring individuals to support vulnerable young people. You will help with morning routines, school preparation, meals, activities, and provide consistent, nurturing care for children who have experienced trauma.

With a 2 on/4 off shift pattern including overnight sleep-ins, you will build trusting relationships, document progress in care records, and work with a supportive team committed to safeguarding and positive outcomes.

Qualifications

• Experience of working with children, young people or families.
• Willingness to obtain safeguarding checks (PVG) and related clearances.

Responsibilities

• Support daily routines and school/college preparation, meals, and activities.
• Provide nurturing, therapeutic care to children who have experienced trauma.
• Build trusting relationships to support positive outcomes.
• Maintain essential records and use an electronic care recording system.
• Create a warm, homely environment and assist with light housework when appropriate.
• Plan and participate in activities, outings, and creative projects.

Skills

Experience with children/young people

Family support experience

Willing to work sleep-ins

Tools

Electronic care recording system

Job description

Located in Ruthwell DG1with a 2 on/4 off shift pattern which includes overnight sleep‑ins at the service.

£34,327 to £36,375 per year (includes base salary + estimated sleep‑in allowances)

Plus £67.50 per sleep‑in. Based on a standard 10 sleep‑ins per month, you will top up your earnings by £8,100 annually.

A full UK driving licence is required and we are unable to offer sponsorship for this role either now or in the future.

We cannot support applications without a minimum of 12 months left on a current work visa.

Extraordinary Days Every Day

At ACAD this isn't just a job, it's a real chance to help shape the future of a vulnerable young person. Every moment you spend with our young people helps them feel safe, valued, supported and seen.

A simple "How was your day?", a shared laugh over a board game or a TV show or encouragement during a tough moment, all these small interactions build trust and shape lives. Some days will be challenging but every breakthrough, every smile and every step forward will remind you why this work truly matters and how you are making a difference.

What You'll Do

You will support our young people with their daily routines, getting them ready for school, or college in the mornings, making sure homework is done ready for the next day, coming together at meal times, planning activities and encouraging hobbies and healthy pastimes. You will provide consistent, nurturing, and therapeutic care to our children and young people who have experienced trauma and adversity, building trusting relationships, supporting young people to achieve positive outcomes.

• Help create a warm, homely environment by helping with light housekeeping when the children are out/engaged
• Build strong, meaningful relationships and provide emotional support, break down those barriers
• Day shifts with overnight sleep‑ins so you will be away from your own home for 2 days/nights at a time
• Plan and join in with fun activities, trips to the park, popcorn & movie nights or creative projects and hobbies
• Keep positive, even on challenging days - staying positive on a tough day is a win for both sides
• Keep essential records up to date to ensure the best possible care and share ideas with your team mates
• You must be comfortable using an electronic care recording system on a daily basis to document, monitor, and update children and young people's records accurately - we will train you

Where You'll Do It

Annie's Cottage is a beautiful 3 bed residential home in Dumfries, which is registered to support 3 young people. We focus on activities that promote the health and wellbeing of our young people, guiding them through the next stages in their life and being a safe space for them to express themselves and grow.

Who You Are

Warm, patient, a great listener who stays positive and focused on achieving outcomes for others. Experience of working with children, young people or families is very much preferred or maybe you have supported a younger friend or family member. If you have experience of working in care supporting another age group and want to move in to supporting young people, we would like to speak to you too. Decided on a career in this industry and started training or completed a course recently, please drop us a line too.

Why Join Us?

• £1000 Refer a Friend bonus
• Flexible shift pattern of 2 on 4 off
• Fully paid induction
• Company pension scheme
• Career development with specialist training
• Exclusive discounts at major retailers.
• 24/7 support helpline
• Hardship grants via the CareTech Foundation

This isn't just a job, it's a chance to change lives, where every second counts!

Join us and be part of something meaningful.

Safeguarding Statement

CareTech is committed to the safeguarding and welfare of children. All applicants must pass a PVG check and provide references covering the past two years and all previous roles involving vulnerable groups.

CareTech Community Services are proud to be a Disability Confident Leader.